This blog is dedicated to all of the horses that I work so hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome. Thank you for comming in and looking.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Options for when "that time" comes

I know this isn't really a very popular subject among horse lovers but I do think that it is very importand information to have on hand for when the time comes that you are faced with the job of putting down your horse and disposing of the body.

* Waste Management ® accepts equine carcasses at some but not all locations. To find out if your local Waste Management location will take horse carcasses, please contact them: www.wm.com; 800-963-4776

3 comments:

You're far more likely to get a blank stare if you contact Oregon State University's Vet School.

For one thing, the taxpayer supported vet schools are also a big part of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Both organizations are PRO SLAUGHTER and would like people to believe that slaughter is the only way to deal with a horse that needs to "go down the road" (be euthanized). They are not forthcoming with information about what to do and how to deal with it because the vet schools, and both professional organizations, have an agenda that is not the same as the need for a loving horse owner (or any animal guardian for that matter) to find a peaceful AND AFFORDABLE way to help their beloved four-footed one to cross the rainbow bridge.

Worse yet most veterinarians not only don't know but sometimes are deliberately cruel about this. My vet's manager actually suggested to me to send my gelding to the wildlife park in Winston, Oregon as "live kill" "to give the big cats a little sport." I couldn't make that up.

I am taking on a research project that will probably take a while but hope to compile something a little more complete and a LOT more helpful than the list put out by the HSUS which seems to be where you got this one, Jamie, not that I don't appreciate your effort, at least there is a list and it gets people thinking and hopefully planning ahead. When I was teaching riding and my students were set to get their first (or second or---) horse I would sit down with them and their parents and have THE DISCUSSION about planning head for "contingencies." Hard, hard, hard discussion to have but oh so necessary.

Thanks Jamie for the great work you do and for printing the HSUS list. It is very sad that the vet school here in Oregon won't take the lead in compiling a comprehensive list of resources.

By the way the Oregon Horse Welfare Council is trying to get support among legislators for getting some state supported euthansia program going, and some of the rescues have actually done things like this on their own. Euthanasia is expensive and carcass disposal is very problematic esp. where there is no longer a renderer in the area, or where municipal codes forbid burial.

Wow, I hate to be disagreeable sounding, but...my personal experience with OSU has been completely different than sunvalleysalley suggests. OSU absolutely will accept horses for inexpensive euthanasia, and horse owners can send their horses to Winston to be used for food, but they are humanely shot - definitely not "for sport for the big cats". To suggest such is pure hogwash!!! There are also 2 other "pick-up/disposal" companies that are local. Denleys in Sherwood, Oregon and White's Trucking in Independence, Oregon. I work for a local equine veterinarian and have attended educational seminars and have found most equine veterinarians to be very helpful and compassionate towards horse owners having to deal with the death of a beloved horse. One more viable option is burial on personal property. Perfectly legal in the state of Oregon providing the burial site is at least 150 feet away from a water source or well. Depth should be 6-8 feet minimum and can be done with a backhoe or track hoe. A difficult and very emotional undertaking to be sure, but one all of us as horse owners will probably have to cross at some point. Hopefully this is helpful.

I appreciate everyone's input and suggestions. I do know that the big cat park in Winston does not do "live kill" on the large animals and I would never suggest that anyone take their unwanted horses there if they did.

Currently, I and a small group of people are working on forming a new non-profit orginazation that will provde low cost euthenasia and disposal, build a hay bank and encourage rescue accountability. We are hoping to have this up and running be the end of this year and I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

About Me

I live out in beautiful Yamhill County, Oregon with my husband of 21 years, my mother and a large array of animals. We have a great time out here on our ranch with our friends and family and are well known for throwing some great parties with our friends that we call "The Oyster Club.” My husband and I spend a lot of time with our hobbies of horses, cars and grandchildren. This blog will be a documentary of my journeys and good times to be shared for all who care to take the time to read.